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Serbia honors King, Queens and Prince of blessed repose

24. May 2013 - 15:36

The remains of King Peter II, Queen Alexandra, Queen Maria and Prince Andrej were escorted from the Royal chapel to the Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel, where His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral officiated the memorial service

After the service, remains of Their Majesties and His Royal Highness were escorted from the Royal Chapel of Saint Andrew the First-Called to The Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel this morning.

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, the representative of Serbian President Nikolic Professor Oliver Antic, Princess Katarina, Prince George, Prince, Michael (Prince Tomislav's children), and Prince Vladimir (son of Prince Andrej) and Princess Brigitta, Mrs Alison Andrews (daughter of Crown Princess Katherine) and her sons Nicholas and Michael, the sister of Crown Princess Katherine Mrs Betty Roumeliotis were all present for the Holy Liturgy and Memorial service in St. Andrew the First Called Royal Chapel in the Royal Compound in Dedinje this morning. In the Cathedral Church Princess Elizabeth joined Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine, Princess Katarina, Prince George, Prince Michael, Prince Vladimir and Princess Brigitta.

Bells at the Cathedral marked arrival of King and Queens and Prince, in the presence of Royal Family, state and city officials and great number of citizens. Members of Serbian Army Guard saluted them and brought coffin of King Peter II to the Cathedral Church, while men in Serbian National costumes from the Kingdom of Serbia Association brought in coffins of Queen Maria, Queen Alexandra and Prince Andrej. Before them, members of the Privy Council, Mr. Dragomir Acovic and Mr. Dusan Babac, member of the Crown Council Prof. Dr. Nicholas Moravchevich, brought in pads with decorations, the Royal Order of Karadjordje star of King Peter II, Order of Saint Sava of HM Queen Alexandra, Royal Order of Karadjordje star of HM Queen Maria and Royal Order of Yugoslav Crown of Prince Andrej.

The coffin of King Peter II was placed in the middle of the church, his mother Queen Maria to his right, his wife Queen Alexandra to his left, and Prince Andrej to left to Queen Alexandra.Coffins were placed of on the rug that Queen Maria and her husband King Alexander I bought for their wedding.

With the blessings of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, His Eminence Metropoliten Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Grace Bishop Konstantin of Central Europe, and His Grace Vicar Bishop Jovan of Lipljan officiated the memorial requiem.

After the service, citizens started to pay respect to the late King and the Queens. The Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel will be open till the evening. Tomorrow, on Saturday, May 25, after the Holy Liturgy that starts on 9 am and Requiem, at 11.30 am the remains of Their Majesties and His Royal Highness will be transferred to St. George Church in Oplenac where the Royal Family Mausoleum is located and they should arrive at 1 pm.

The State Funeral of Their Majesties King Peter II, Queen Alexandra and Queen Maria, and His Royal Highness Prince Andrej will start at 10 am on Sunday, 26 May, at the St. George Church in Oplenac.